Coverage of the Portland Sea Dogs and Red Sox Organization

Oh Yeah! Thoughts on Macho Man…’Dogs back home

I pose a question for all professional wrestling fans, how many times have you been criticized or made fun of for liking the “sport?” From the backlash that wrestling gets, it’s amazing how many people were overcome with sadness after the passing of Randy “Macho Man’ Savage, who did play minor league baseball in the early 70’s under the name Randy Poffo. When I was growing up, I loved the WWE, and often went to shows at the Boston Garden, Worcester Centrum and Providence Civic Center.

In fact, I saw Macho Man win the King of the Ring in Providence, and I was only 10 rows back. I always knew it was sports entertainment, but loved the story lines, plus the larger-than-life characters. I can remember seeing Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan wrestling at the Boston Garden. When I saw Andre walk out of the tunnel, I couldn’t believe that it was a real human being. But there was something about the Macho Man. He was a high flyer, had that great voice. Only he could say “Oh Yeaahhh,” and it would sound cooler than anyone else repeating the same phrase. Let’s also not forget Miss Elizabeth. How tragic that both have passed away.

There is so much information we can find out about people from Facebook and Twitter. I was overwhelmed on how many people, from all walks of life, who were saddened by Macho Man. I’m just always surprised that what people say, is not always how they feel deep down. I think some people are embarrassed by admitting they like wrestling. Not me. It’s a man’s soap opera. I never took it as a “real sport,” but sports entertainment, as Vince McMahon always calls it.

So can I get an OH YEAAAH…Macho Man, Rest-in-Piece, and thank you for giving me so many great memories of my childhood. It was fun to relive them with family and friends.

Notes for today…Sea Dogs open up a 9-game homestand in 8 days.

HOME SWEET HOME: Portland starts a nine-game, eight-day homestand tonight with the first of a four-game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays affiliate)…This is New Hampshire’s first visit to Hadlock Field this season…Starting Friday, the Sea Dogs will tangle with the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) in five-game series…Saturday will be Portland’s first home doubleheader of the year.

SWEEP SORROW: The Sea Dogs were swept out of Trenton yesterday with a 6-1 loss, their fourth straight…Portland has lost eight straight away from Hadlock Field and are just 3-19 in road games this year…The team has been swept in back-to-back road series (Trenton and New Britain) and have been swept in four separate series this year, all away from home…Portland has yet to sweep any of its opponents, and has only won one series outright.

TOUGH DAY AT THE OFFICE: Stolmy Pimentel lasted just an inning and a third, allowing seven hits and six runs to the Thunder yesterday…Pimentel fell to 0-6 on the year and is still looking for his first career Double-A victory…The inning and a third outing was the shortest by any Portland starter this year…The previous low was a two and two-thirds outing by Brock Huntzinger.

LIGHTS OUT RELIEF: After Pimentel exited the game, Jeremy Kehrt and Cesar Cabral finished the final six and two-thirds innings, allowing only three baserunners…Kehrt’s five and a third inning effort was the longest by any Portland reliever this season…Kehrt held the previous mark as well with four and a third innings pitched on April 8th against Reading…After a rough first Double-A outing, Cabral had a perfect inning and a third with a pair of strikeouts.

NOW A SEASON-HIGH: Portland’s road-losing streak of eight straight is now a season-high…The ‘Dogs have lost all seven series away from Hadlock Field.

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY: With Thursday’s postponement, the Sea Dogs have now had six of their twelve series affected by weather this season…The team’s next doubleheader is scheduled for May 28th against Trenton at Hadlock Field…Thursday’s game will be made up on August 17th at Reading.

WHAT’S ON DECK: The Sea Dogs will play the second of a four-game series tomorrow night against the Fisher Cats…Portland starts a five-game series with the Trenton Thunder (Yankees affiliate) on Friday night…Portland and Trenton play a doubleheader on May 28th beginning at 1:00 PM.

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